Hooded Warbler Habitat (Where to look)

Hooded Warbler Breeding Habitat

  • found in both the interior and edges of mature, riparian (wet), deciduous forest with dense understory
  • understory plants commonly found in Hooded Warbler habitat: rhododendron, barberry, viburnum, mountain laurel, and spicebush
  • shrubby forest edge plants commonly found in Hooded Warbler habitat: blackberry thickets, hawthorn thickets, and non-native multiflora rose
  • may favor nesting on hillside terrain within mature forest
  • often found in shrubby openings in the forest canopy, such as tree-fall gaps

Hooded Warbler Migratory Habitat

  • like most warblers - will be most visible over the spring/fall migration periods (May/June and September/October)
  • even during migration will favor dense forest understory and forest edge brush

Hooded Warbler Behavior (What to look for)

  • frequently twitches tail and exposes white outer tail feathers
  • forages at eye level or lower - rarely high in tree - in fact, check understory/shrubbery before trees
  • males do move into trees to sing
  • shy, skulking bird - often seen only partially - view is usually obstructed by dense understory
  • moves quickly from shrub to shrub - always on the move
  • males may return to same breeding grounds year after year
  • spends more time foraging on the ground than most warblers - often inspecting leaf litter

Notes from Anonymous Birders

“larger than most warblers”
“usually have to go within forest to find one”
“definitely check gaps within the forest near a water source”
“a bird of the shadows”

Indicator Species

Ovenbird, Veery, Wood Thrush, Kentucky Warbler

Good Luck!

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